Pts in the Paint

Fastbreak Pts

Bench Pts

The Short Story:Treveon Graham hit a go-ahead 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1.4 seconds left to secure a thrilling 59-56 win over 25th-ranked UVA. Graham led all scorers with 22 points on the evening. HAVOC forced the Cavaliers into 19 turnovers on the night, leading to nine steals for the Black & Gold. It was only the second time in VCU history that the Rams won a true road game against a top-25 opponent, the other came in 1994 at Louisville.

How It Happened:

The Rams jumped out to an early 5-0 advantage behind a lay-up by Graham and a 3-pointer from Reddic.

The Cavaliers fought back to knot the score at 7-7, but VCU followed with a 9-3 series of their own. Graham and Melvin Johnson contributed baskets in the paint during the Rams' run.

Virginia was able to tie the score at 21 with just under four minutes to play after a 7-0 run highlighted by a series of trips to the free throw line.

VCU finished the half with a basket by Graham, but trailed 26-24 entering the half.

Brandenberg kicked off the second half scoring for the Rams with a three from the top of the key. Graham followed suit with a three of his own for a quick 6-0 run. The Rams scored ten points in the first three minutes of the second half.

The next ten minutes involved the Rams and Cavaliers trading baskets, with neither team leading by more than four points.

With seven minutes to play, Virginia was able to push their lead to seven, but VCU responded with a pair of baskets to cut the lead to three at 51-48 with 5:52 to play.

With just under three minutes to play, Brandenberg missed a floater, but Reddic followed the shot with a left-handed tip dunk. On the other end of the floor, Graham drew a charge on a baseline drive by Cavalier senior Joe Harris.

Jordan Burgess continued to shift the momentum with a three point shot to cut the lead to one, 55-54, with 2:10 remaining on the clock.

Graham put the Rams back on top 56-55 with just over a minute to play with a floater from just outside the key. The Rams' then forced an air ball by Harris with the shot clock winding down, forcing the Cavaliers to foul.

With 9.7 seconds to go, Virginia guard Malcolm Brogdon went to the line with a chance to take the lead, but could only convert one to tie the game at 56.

Graham took a pass from Brandenburg with 1.4 seconds to play and nailed a go-ahead three pointer from a few feet behind the three point line at the top of the key.

Cavaliers forward Justin Anderson threw up a fadeaway three at the buzzer from the left side, but his attempt was no good, giving VCU the victory.

Beyond the Box Score

VCU is now 3-2 against the ACC under Head Coach Shaka Smart. The Rams are 20-23 overall against the ACC.

The win was only the second win in program history in a true road game at a top-25 team. The only other time came on Jan. 8, 1994 at Louisville, a 93-89 overtime win for the Rams.

VCU is now 29-1 in the past two years when forcing 15 or more turnovers.

Up Next

The Rams return home on Saturday, Nov. 16th to face Winthrop. Game time is set for 7 p.m. on Comcast Mid-Atlantic – Plus.